While it is correct that there are fewer homes For Sale in December, the number of serious buyers looking to buy only drops slightly. This means that a higher percentage of homes sell in December and for more money, dispelling the myth of December being a bad month to sell. The chart illustrates this point.
Conventional wisdom is that December is the worst month to sell a home. This may be true in areas with extreme weather during winter; think subzero temperatures, snow, ice, etc. It’s just not the case along the San Francisco Peninsula.
The moderate weather on the peninsula makes shopping for a home comfortable at any time of the year. Just think of Redwood City’s slogan “Climate Best by Government Test.”
Beyond the weather, there is more logic to dispel the myth of December being a bad month to sell a home.
While it is correct there are fewer homes For Sale in December, what this really means is that a higher percentage of homes sell in this month and for more money. Look at it this way: No one really wants to have their home on the market during the holidays. Who really wants strangers coming through the home while they are getting ready for Christmas festivities and preparing for the new year? This means that the only people who list their homes in December are the ones who are motivated to sell. This leads to a lower inventory of For Sale homes.
Even though the number of For Sale homes drops off significantly in December, the number of buyers looking to buy only drops slightly. Buyers have the exact opposite opinion of sellers; what buyer doesn’t want to take Uncle Joe and Aunt Betty from Cleveland, Ohio to open houses and show them how much homes in the Bay Area cost compared to where they live?
Statistically, all of this means that a higher percentage of homes Sell in December than any other month of the year as the chart illustrates.
The key for a successful December Sale in 2022 will be to have your home hit the market on November 28th and under contract no later than December 16th.
Thinking of selling? Reach out to me today and I will be happy to answer any of your questions.
Chris Eckert
650.627.3799
chris@chriseckert.us
